Purpose & Mission
The International Centre for Olympic Studies (ICOS), established at Western University in 1989, was the first of its kind in the world. It remains the only such centre in the Americas.
ICOS' primary mission is the generation and dissemination of academic scholarship focused specifically on the socio-cultural study of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and the Olympic Movement. In order to bring this endeavour to fruition, ICOS pursues the following four initiatives:
- ICOS produces Olympika: The International Journal of Olympic Studies. This refereed scholarly journal, which has an internationally recognized editorial review board, is currently published annually, and is available for subscription throughout the world.
- ICOS hosts an International Symposium for Olympic Research in every Olympic year. The Centre publishes an Edited Collection of these symposia.
- ICOS organizes and sponsors regular guest lectures presented by recognized scholars and professionals. The lectures include annual honour addresses entitled the Ion P. Ioannides, the J. Howard Crocker, the Earle F. Zeigler, the Robert K. Barney, and the Western at the Olympics lectures.
- ICOS maintains a resource centre in its home in the 3M Centre, Room 2235, for the use of visiting researchers, faculty, graduate and undergraduate students and members of the general public.
